“What’s so inappropriate about it?” Adrian’s eyes lifted slightly at the corners. “Aren’t you two getting a divorce soon?” The implication was clear: if divorce was inevitable, then none of it really mattered anymore. Yet, the entire situation still made Celeste’s heart race. After all, this was Adrian, Damien’s uncle! She and Damien weren’t divorced yet. Technically, that still made him her uncle.
Sensing her tension, Adrian chose not to prolong the moment. He lifted her and quickly stepped over the railing before gently setting her down. She had been worried earlier. What if he couldn’t manage the crossing while carrying her? However, it had been effortless for him; the height between the balconies was perfectly aligned, and she landed gracefully on the other side. As she turned to glance at him, her eyes carried a flicker of gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Wrenford.”
He quickly withdrew his hand and gestured toward the door. “Your son’s going to knock the door down if you don’t go out soon.” Only then did she realize how loud the knocking had become. There was no time for further conversation. She turned and headed quickly to the door. Behind her, Adrian watched her retreating figure, a faint, involuntary smile curling on his lips.
When Celeste opened the door, she found Lucian and Margot standing outside.
“Mom! I’ve been knocking forever. What took you so long?” Lucian looked at her with displeasure.
Just then, the door to the neighboring apartment opened from the inside. “He was too drunk last night… slept like a log,” she began—only to meet a dark, unreadable gaze behind them. Adrian’s eyes met hers. His lips curled into a subtle, indecipherable smile.
Margot instantly turned around when she heard the sound behind her and greeted Adrian. “Adrian, you’re up!”
“Good morning, Margot,” he greeted her in a low voice before striding toward the stairs.
“Where’s Dad? Is he not up yet? I’m going to be late for school. Are you taking me to school today, or is he?”
“Your dad’s not here. He went out last night.” Celeste instinctively retracted her gaze when she heard Lucian’s voice and looked at him indifferently. “What did you say? Didn’t Damien sleep here last night?”
Margot was just about to answer when another voice cut through the air, colder and sharper. Celeste looked up and locked eyes with Alaric, who had come down from the third floor without them noticing. He had clearly heard everything. She frowned slightly. She hadn’t expected him to overhear. “He had something to take care of last night.”
“That bastard…” Alan’s face darkened with anger. He slammed his cane against the floor with a loud thud, his aged features twisted in fury. “Lucian, are you awake?”